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The Norwich Devils renew their old rivalry with the Ipswich Cardinals this weekend with both teams looking to get their season on track. Ipswich were one of the pre season favourites to win the division this season but have so far lost all 5 games this year and stand bottom of BAFL 1 South Conference. Norwich started off promisingly with a tie and a win, but the realities of playing higher division football this year have seen them narrowly lose their last three to stand just one place above the Cardinals.
Both teams are desperate for a win as they strive to avoid last place and the
potential drop to BAFL 2 for the 2009 season. A win for the Devils would put
them in a strong position with a two and a half game lead over their long
standing rivals with 4 games left, and enable them to start looking up the
division rather than over their shoulders, but a loss would see them just half
a game ahead with a trip down to Ipswich still to come.
Devils head coach Nick Rockell knows it's going to be a tough game but said,
"If we can cut out the errors which have been costing us dearly in the
last few games then we have a great chance. The general standard of our play
has been good, but we keep making silly mistakes. You don't get away with the
errors so easily at this level."
The game is on Sunday at the Hewitt School in Norwich, kicking off at 2.30pm,
is preceded at 12:00 noon by a youth game when the Devils host the current
National Champions London Warriors. The Warriors are unbeaten this season and
the Devils Youth lead their division with 3 wins and 1 loss so it's a crucial
game for both teams. The Devils youth will be looking to avenge a semi final
defeat to the Warriors last season and expect a hard hitting game.